Our working definition of a digital platform (with a hat tip to Harold Feld of Public Knowledge) is an online service that operates as a two-sided or multi-sided market with at least one side that is “open” to the mass market
Platforms
Sen Klobuchar, Colleagues Urge Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission to Investigate Generative AI Products for Potential Antitrust Violations
Sen Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Sens Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan to highlight the risks that new generative artificial intelligence (AI) features pose to competition and innovation in digital content, including journalism, and to urge both agencies to investigate whether the design of these features violates the antitrust laws. “Recently, mu
2024 State EdTech Trends Report
The 2024 State EdTech Trends survey and report tracks insights on the top edtech priorities as identified in SETDA’s survey of state policy-makers including state edtech directors, state superintendents and commissioners of education and CIOs. The report includes four key findings:
The GoDaddy/UCLA Anderson Forecast Microbusiness Activity Index 2024 Annual Update
This annual report on the U.S. Microbusiness Activity Index (MAI) provides an update on microbusinesses, incorporating data up to March 2024. It covers the national, states, metropolitan areas, and counties. Highlights include:
Verizon Acquires Frontier Communications
Verizon and Frontier Communications announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Verizon to acquire Frontier in an all-cash transaction valued at $20 billion. This strategic acquisition of the largest pure-play fiber internet provider in the U.S. will significantly expand Verizon's fiber footprint across the nation, accelerating the company’s delivery of premium mobility and broadband services to current and new customers.
California tackles digital superintelligence—maybe
California recently lawmakers sent a nationally consequential artificial intelligence bill to Gov.
CrowdStrike and digital ecosystem transitivity
On July 19, 2024, a major global outage was caused by a faulty software update issued by CrowdStrike, a prominent cybersecurity firm.
California AI bill passes State Assembly, pushing AI fight to Newsom
The California State Assembly passed a bill on August 28 that would enact the nation’s strictest regulations on artificial intelligence companies, pushing the fierce fight over how to regulate AI toward Gov.
Appeals Court Raises Questions Over Section 230 Law Giving Social-Media Companies Legal Immunity
The Philadelphia-based Third U.S.
Can Tech Executives Be Held Responsible for What Happens on Their Platforms?
For years, internet company executives rarely faced personal liability in Western democracies for what took place on their platforms. But as law enforcement agencies, regulators and policymakers ramp up scrutiny of online platforms and exchanges, they are increasingly considering when to hold company leaders directly responsible. That shift was punctuated by recent charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov. For now, tech executives have little to fear, with cases like Mr. Durov’s likely to be outliers, experts said.
Zuckerberg’s new Washington game
On the surface, the apologetic letter Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sent to congressional Republicans on Monday looks like a capitulation in the long-simmering political wars